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Alan Jones 'Kovco contempt' dropped

Geesche Jacobsen | December 14, 2007 - 9:32AM

The State Coroner won't pursue contempt of court action against
broadcaster Alan Jones and a Daily Telegraph journalist
over comments made in relation to the inquest into the death of
Private Jake Kovco.

In October, NSW State Coroner Mary Jerram condemned a report in
The Daily Telegraph newspaper, and subsequent comments by
Jones, saying they could be seen to pre-empt and therefore
prejudice the inquest due to start next year.

The report and Jones' comments, made on October 12, concerned
the perceptions of a Kovco family member about what happened during
a pre-court discussion at the time.

At the October hearing, Ms Jerram said she would consider
referring the matter to the Supreme Court for possible contempt of
court proceedings.

But at a brief preliminary hearing today, Ms Jerram said she had
decided not to pursue the matter.

"A factor in my decision, particularly in respect to Mr Jones,
is the time that would have elapsed before the inquest commenced,''
she said.

The inquest, which will be heard before a jury, is due to start
in early February.

Ms Jerram told the Glebe Coroner's Court that had the comments
been published any closer in time to the inquest, they would have
been been referred to the Supreme Court.

She said she would publish the reasons for her decision at the
end of the hearings.